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Novel Energetics Research Center (NERC)

Background

To maintain lethal overmatch, the next generation of weapons require energetic materials with orders of magnitude enhancement in performance. The NERC will lead research focused on developing such disruptive energetic and propulsive materials to provide continued lethal overmatch across the full range of weapons for both direct and indirect fires. Investigators are seeking to understand high-energy density energy storage and release on desired timescales, methods to balance various parameters in energetic formulations, and prediction of formulation compatibility.

Collaborative Focus

Multiscale modeling of energetic molecules

Energetic molecule synthesis

Energetic formulation

Characterization of energetic performance from micro to large scale

Next generation weapons development

Benefits

Access to ARL’s expertise in modeling of energetics modeling, synthesis, formulation, and characterization.

Development of environmentally friendly energetic molecules, synthesis methods, and formulations

Energetic molecules that meet insensitive muniton (IM) requirements.

Development of next generation weapons to utilize new energetic formulations.

Established transition path of next generation energetics and weapons through scale-up, dem/val, and use for military applications.

Point of Contact

Participants

Open to national and defense labs, universities, and industry

Concept of Operation

The NERC will establish an overarching cooperative research and development agreement that defines the extent of collaboration conducted under the center and defines the disposition of Intellectual Property and the sharing of research outcomes and laboratory resources.